Marshall already saying his good-byes

Jun 17, 2009 - 2:04 AM By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Sports Writer

DENVER(AP) -- Brandon Marshall is saying his good-byes to the Denver Broncos and their fans even as coach Josh McDaniels talks about seeing his holdout Pro Bowl receiver at training camp next month.

Marshall posted a farewell on his blog Tuesday, four days after requesting a trade during a private meeting with team owner Pat Bowlen.

Bowlen hasn't said whether he'll honor Marshall's trade request, and McDaniels says he expects Marshall to report to camp at the end of next month rather than follow Jay Cutler out of town.

Cutler was traded to Chicago in an acrimonious split several weeks after McDaniels talked about bringing Matt Cassel over from New England for a reunion in Denver.

Marshall's beef is primarily financial.

He's scheduled to make $2.2 million in 2009 and he wants more money, befitting a player who has posted consecutive 100-catch seasons and went to the Pro Bowl after last season. But he has health and legal issues that leave him with little, if any, leverage.

In a posting on his blog Tuesday that was titled "Clearing the Air," Marshall wrote: "Life is filled with change, and where I am in my life now change is probably best. It's hard leaving an organization ran (sic) by one of the best owners in all of sports, and someone who's been there for me through my ups and downs.

"The hardest thing was hearing Mr. B wish me luck in the future, but we both came to the conclusion that this is probably the best thing for me to grow on and off the field," Marshall continued. "I thank the Denver fans who embraced my emotion and play on the field and (for) showing me love every time I step outside my door."

Also, Marshall's agent, Kennard McGuire, told FOX31-TV in Denver on Tuesday that "Mr. Bowlen has said that ownership will do everything in its power to accommodate his wishes" for a trade.

McDaniels told The Associated Press on Tuesday night, however, that he expects his Pro Bowl receiver to be in attendance next month when the Broncos reconvene for camp.

"We met after Pat's meeting with Brandon Marshall and we're going to continue our dialogue with Brandon and his representatives," McDaniels said, echoing comments he made earlier to The Denver Post and ESPN. "And we look forward to having Brandon at training camp."

McGuire didn't return messages from The AP.

Marshall is recuperating from hip surgery this spring and he faces a trial later this summer on charges of misdemeanor battery in Atlanta. A conviction could subject him to his second suspension from the NFL in two seasons. He sat out last year's opener and was docked two pay checks after a series of domestic disputes landed him in commissioner Roger Goodell's office.

While Marshall's issue with the team is primarily about money, he also has cited a lack of trust in Denver's medical staff for not wanting to rehab at team headquarters following what he has called a misdiagnosis of his hip injury last year.

He skipped three weeks of voluntary workouts this spring, preferring to rehab under the care of his personal physicians back home in Orlando, Fla., then dodged the mandatory minicamp. After his meeting with Bowlen, Marshall loaded three boxes of belongings into his truck and drove away without speaking to reporters.

Marshall has far outplayed the four-year deal he signed as a fourth-round draft pick in 2006. He made about $1.5 million in each of his first three seasons and his trip to the Pro Bowl last year boosted his 2009 pay to $2.2 million.

However, it's possible he won't be the same player after hip surgery.

Marshall caught 104 passes for 1,265 yards and six TDs last season. But he had several crucial fumbles and also dropped 18 on-target passes, something he blamed on the nerve damage in his right arm, which he said he put through a television set while horsing around with his brother a year ago in the offseason.